The use of the spanning suspension suture in facial reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The closure of large cutaneous defects of the upper face can be challenging, often requiring the use of large rotation, advancement, or transposition flaps or skin grafts.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the spanning suspension suture, a technique we have adapted to facilitate closure of large cutaneous defects of the upper face.

METHODS: Report of an illustrated case.

RESULTS: A large full-thickness defect of the temple was successfully reconstructed using the spanning suspension suture.

CONCLUSION: Use of the spanning suspension suture permits recruitment of skin from the lower cheek and neck in the closure of large wounds of the upper face, avoiding the need for transposition or rotation flaps and grafts.